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strange_abalone's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have no idea what to rate this…. I have no idea what I just read… a brilliant depiction of society and trauma…. But also, what did I just read?????
Reaction after sitting with it for a day:
I think the initial reaction is to be stunned, and that makes a lot of sense, it’s a very diabolical read. But a lot of the reviews here seem to be shocked by the nature of the book without exploring more into what ideas are being presented. It’s deranged to make a point, and in that way it is exceptional. The “factory” and popinpobopians are concepts that will sit with me forever.
Graphic: Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Child abuse, Death, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Body horror, Gaslighting, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Bullying, and Suicidal thoughts
groovybree's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Murder, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death, Sexual violence, Bullying, Cannibalism, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, Incest, Physical abuse, and Violence
jstvz's review against another edition
2.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Death, Self harm, Cannibalism, Gaslighting, and Suicide
laura_grindey's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Self harm, Gore, Violence, Body horror, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Mental illness, Death, and Cannibalism
cozeebee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
I don't know what to think. After reading the essay at the end of the novel, I'm a little... concerned?
It was gripping and incredibly well written although I had to cringe away at most parts in the main character Natsumi's childhood. It was messed up.
I much rather the middle part of the book, when she becomes an adult and learning about her partnership with Tomoya, if that's the proper word to call it.
I just felt generally uncomfortable during this read, but also could not put the book down. Only times I took true breaks were in the beginning. I needed to find out what happened in the end. I accidentally got a spoiler for what was to come, so I kind of guessed what would happen. Though, it didn't shock me any less.
It's funny, because I assumed it would be like The Convenience Store Woman, and had no idea it would be a horror novel until I started to get to the disturbing parts. Truly a shocking novel.
Although there were a lot of shocking parts to Earthlings, everything had a meaning. It didn't seem senseless. There was a clear message behind this story. The after effects of trauma, how the body and mind react to the PTSD and the actions taken afterwards, or sometimes lack of action, were explored in such an unconventional way, but somehow didn't seem as foreign as one might think.
It's hard to give it a rating due to some of the subject matter. For writing alone I would give it a 4.5 stars.
Would I recommend this to anyone? No, I would not.
Someone would have to happen upon it themselves as I did and let curiosity get the better of them.
I would recommend looking up any content warnings before reading. It is quite graphic in more ways than one.
Graphic: Incest, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Gore, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Self harm, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Murder
maddy506's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Pedophilia, Murder, Incest, Adult/minor relationship, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Self harm, and Death of parent
tgithursdays's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Blood, Death, Rape, Emotional abuse, Body horror, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Violence, Incest, Child abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Vomit, Sexual assault, Torture, and Suicidal thoughts
cody's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Self harm and Cannibalism
Moderate: Incest and Sexual assault
allika's review
0.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Pedophilia, Cannibalism, Murder, Mental illness, Self harm, and Violence
shoelace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Death, Pregnancy, Self harm, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Mental illness, Violence, Bullying, Confinement, Gore, Incest, Blood, Cannibalism, Pedophilia, Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Infertility